Worship & Music

The moment at the end of a service when people are invited to come to the front to commit to faith, pray, or ask for help — usually while a song plays.

"Yes" or "I agree" — said at the end of prayers, and in some churches shouted mid-sermon to agree with the preacher.

A ceremony in which parents publicly commit to raising their child in the Christian faith and the church promises to help — used by churches that don't baptize infants.

The water ceremony marking a person's entry into the Christian faith and the church. Some traditions baptize infants by sprinkling or pouring; others baptize believers by full immersion.

The closing blessing spoken over the congregation at the end of a service — often "The Lord bless you and keep you…" — sending people out with God's favor.

The opening words of a service — usually a psalm or scripture passage, often read responsively — that gather the congregation and begin worship.

The ritual of sharing bread and wine (or juice) in memory of Jesus' last meal with His disciples. The name, the meaning, and who may take it vary by tradition.

Telling one's sins to a priest and receiving God's forgiveness through him — a sacrament in Catholic and Orthodox practice, also available in Anglican and Lutheran churches.

Two styles of worship service — contemporary (band, screens, modern songs, casual) and traditional (organ, hymns, liturgy, formal) — and the long, mostly friendly argument between them.

A short song or formula of praise to God, especially the one that begins "Praise God from whom all blessings flow," often sung when the offering is brought forward.

Two physical gestures of reverence — a brief kneel on one knee toward the altar (genuflecting), and the hand motion touching forehead, chest, and shoulders (the sign of the cross).

"Praise the Lord" — a Hebrew exclamation kept untranslated in every Christian language. "Alleluia" is the Latin-influenced form used in liturgical churches.

Two physical elements of liturgical worship: water blessed by a priest, used for blessings and for the sign of the cross on entering a church; and incense burned as a symbol of prayer rising to God.

A church song in the traditional form — several verses of poetry set to a tune, usually sung from a book with organ or piano, and often centuries old.

A sacred painted image of Christ, Mary, or a saint, made in a traditional style and honored — not worshipped — in Orthodox and some Catholic worship.

The opening prayer of a service, asking God to be present and bless the gathering. Also the opening prayer at civic events — a graduation, a council meeting, a game.

A set, repeated order of worship with written prayers, readings, and congregational responses, followed the same way every week.

The Catholic worship service, centered on the Eucharist — scripture readings, a homily, prayers, and communion, in a fixed order every time.

The moment in a church service when everyone turns and greets the people around them, usually with a handshake and the words "Peace be with you."

The singing portion of a contemporary church service. Some distinguish praise (upbeat songs about what God has done) from worship (slower songs addressed to God directly).

Lifting one or both hands during singing or prayer as a physical expression of praise, surrender, or reaching toward God.

A ritual Christians believe carries God's grace through a physical sign — water, bread and wine, oil. Catholics and Orthodox count seven; most Protestants count two.

In Catholic and Orthodox use, a person officially recognized as holy and in heaven, who can be asked to pray for you. In the New Testament — and Protestant use — every Christian.

A solo or small-group song performed during the service — as opposed to congregational singing — often during the offering or before the sermon.

Orthodox evening prayer (Vespers), usually Saturday evening, and the main Sunday service (the Divine Liturgy), centered on the Eucharist — long, sung, standing, and ancient. Vespers also names evening prayer in Catholic and Anglican use.

Honoring God — most often meaning the singing part of a church service, but also the whole service, and sometimes a person's entire way of living.

A modern church song, usually written in the last few decades and led by a band — simpler and more repetitive than a hymn, with a chorus and often a "bridge" that repeats and builds.

The band and singers who lead the music in a contemporary church service, and the person — often on staff — who directs them and chooses the songs.